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Further Detentions, Releases & Issuance of Restriction Orders under the Internal Security Act
8 June 2007
Detention of Self-Radicalised Singaporean
There is a troubling new phenomenon today of individuals who are self-radicalised, independent of direct recruitment by established terrorist groups. Such cases have been uncovered in several countries. Singapore has not been immune. In recent years, ISD has investigated a few Singaporeans who had become attracted to terrorist and radical ideas purveyed in the mass media, particularly the Internet.
In Feb 2007, ISD arrested and subsequently detained one self-radicalised Singaporean under the Internal Security Act (ISA) - Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader (Abdul Basheer), aged 28. At the time of his arrest, Abdul Basheer had made specific plans to pursue 'militant jihad' in Afghanistan.
Abdul Basheer studied law at university. He practised law after graduation and later became a lecturer in an educational institution. From late 2004, he began developing the mindset that he had to wage 'militant jihad' in a land where Muslims were under attack. His views were shaped by the radical discourse that he avidly looked up on the Internet.
In Oct 2006, Abdul Basheer left Singapore for a Middle-East country. He planned to live there for two years, learning Arabic so that he could communicate with 'mujahidin' fighters. However, within two months, his 'militant jihad' plans escalated as he became even more deeply influenced by the extremist propaganda he read on the Internet. By Dec 2006, he had decided to embark on 'militant jihad' immediately. At the time of his arrest, he had purchased an air ticket to Pakistan, where he intended to make contact with a militant group - the Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) - that could help him train for 'militant jihad' and to cross over into Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban. Abdul Basheer enlisted the help of his friend in Singapore, Muhamad Yassin Khan bin Muhamad Yunos, to facilitate his plans. He was arrested and repatriated before he could embark on his violent agenda.
Abdul Basheer was detained under the ISA in Feb 2007.
Issuance of Restriction Order (RO) against Muhamad Yassin Khan bin Muhamad Yunos
Yassin Khan, aged 30, a Singaporean, is a close friend of Abdul Basheer. He was not only fully aware of Abdul Basheer's plans to wage 'militant jihad' in Afghanistan, but had actively abetted it. At Abdul Basheer's request, Yassin Khan tried to facilitate Abdul Basheer's 'militant jihad' training. He had also encouraged Abdul Basheer's 'militant jihad' aspirations by offering suggestions, like how Abdul Basheer could obtain more funds to finance his activities. In view of his abetment to violence, Yassin Khan was issued with an RO in Feb 2007.
JI Terrorist Network
ISD also continued to disrupt the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist network (JI). Between Nov 2006 and Apr 2007, 4 more Singapore JI members were issued with Orders of Detention (ODs) under the ISA, while a fifth was issued with an RO. Meanwhile, 5 JI detainees were released on Suspension Directions 1(SDs) on 1 Jun 2007.
Detention of 4 JI members
The 4 JI members detained under the ISA were Ishak s/o Mohamed Noohu (Ishak), Mohamed Hussain bin Saynudin (Hussain), Mohamed Yassin s/o O P Mohamed Nooh (Mohamed Yassin) and Ibrahim bin Mohd Noor (Ibrahim).
Ishak s/o Mohamed Noohu
Ishak was a senior member of the Singapore JI network. He fled Singapore in Dec 2001 following ISD's security operation against Singapore JI members. Ishak had undergone terrorist training in Mindanao and was involved in various plans by the JI to mount attacks against foreign targets in Singapore. Most significantly, he was a member of Singapore JI leader Mas Selamat bin Kastari (detained)'s team that planned to hijack an airplane in order to crash it into Changi Airport. Ishak was arrested and detained under the ISA in Nov 2006.
Mohamed Hussain bin Saynudin
Hussain was a member of the Singapore JI network. He left Singapore in Aug 2001, prior to the Dec 2001 security operation against the JI network, to pursue Arabic studies overseas; after the ISD operation, he deliberately stayed overseas so as to avoid the Singapore authorities. Hussain had previously undergone terrorist training with the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) militant group in Pakistan. He had also abetted a Singaporean (Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader; detained) in the latter's 'militant jihad' plans. Hussain was arrested and detained under the ISA in Feb 2007.
Mohamed Yassin s/o O P Mohamed Nooh
Mohamed Yassin was a member of the Singapore JI network. Similar to Hussain, he left Singapore in Aug 2001, prior to the Dec 2001 security operation against the JI network, to pursue Arabic studies overseas; and deliberately remained overseas in subsequent years so as to avoid the Singapore authorities. Mohamed Yassin had been involved in fund-raising for the JI. He had also undergone JI training in Malaysia. Mohamed Yassin was arrested and detained under the ISA in Feb 2007.
Ibrahim bin Mohd Noor
Ibrahim was a member of the Singapore JI network. He fled Singapore in Dec 2001 following the arrests of Singapore JI members in ISD's security operation. Ibrahim was a trained operative. He had conducted terrorist reconnaissance against local establishments in Singapore. Ibrahim was arrested and detained under the ISA in Apr 2007.
Restriction Order against one JI member
Jamil bin Ansani was a member of the Singapore JI network. He fled Singapore in Dec 2001 following the arrests of Singapore JI members in ISD's security operation. Jamil had assisted the JI in some of its operational reconnaissance activities, but was not a key operative. Jamil was arrested and later issued with an RO in Mar 2007.
Release of 5 JI detainees
Five JI detainees have been released under Suspension Direction on 1 Jun 2007. They are Mohamed Noor bin Sulaimi, Naharudin bin Sabtu, Nordin bin Parman and Syed Ibrahim, who were detained since Sep 2002, and Mohamed Yassin s/o O P Mohamed Nooh, who was detained since Feb 2007. They had cooperated with ISD on investigations into the JI, and had responded positively to rehabilitation. They are assessed to no longer pose a security threat to Singapore that warrants preventive detention.
Footnote
1 A person released under Suspension Direction has his OD suspended, and must abide by certain conditions and restrictions after release. He may be re-detained should he fail to respect these conditions and restrictions.
Comments By DPM and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng on Recent ISA Detentions, 9 June 2007
Abdul Basheer's case reminds all Singaporeans that we cannot take our security for granted. He is not the first self-radicalised Singaporean that ISD has investigated. There were several others, whom ISD had detected and counselled in earlier stages of radicalisation. What this shows is that the phenomenon is a very real one, and that Singapore, like other countries, is not immune to the threat.
2 We must not let Abdul Basheer's case, or the detention of another 4 JI members, affect the current racial and religious harmony in Singapore. This security operation is not about the Muslim community which knows the importance of harmony and peace, but about individuals who stray onto the wrong path to become terrorists. Let us be very clear about this and not, as a result of these ISA detentions, cause us to have mutual suspicions of each other.
3 Terrorism is a national issue, that all Singaporeans - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - must work together to address. Our Muslim organisations and leaders have undertaken many initiatives in the last few years to counter radical ideology. They would intensify their efforts to reach out to vulnerable segments of the community, e.g the young, to explain the falsities of the radical ideology. We should also be alert to what our children are learning from the Internet or from unregistered and dubious religious teachers. We should guide them to the right sources of religious knowledge.
4. Still, all Singaporeans must continue to be vigilant and watch out for extremists in our society. The family, close friends, and even teachers are best positioned to detect anyone who strays into the wrong path and correct them. They should also report such cases to the Police for action. We will deal firmly with those who participate in foreign terror activities - in or outside Singapore
5 There are a handful of Singaporeans who questioned the need to detain Abdul Basheer because he has not actually engaged in terrorist activities, and hence "from a legal perspective, he is innocent". They hold the view that Basheer "wasn't trying to target Singapore but trying to go overseas to take up his cause. That means there is no real threat to Singapore".
6 Let me say categorically to such people that this sort of thinking is very wrong and very dangerous. Many militants in Asia, the Middle East and the West, had in earlier years gone overseas to conduct militant jihad in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. When they subsequently returned to their home countries, armed with knowledge and skills of terror, and a network of fellow militants, they conducted terrorist activities in their home countries. Many terrorists who carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia, were returnees from fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Singapore, many JI members in earlier years went to Mindanao in the Philippines, Afghanistan and Ambon in Indonesia, to participate in militant jihad and to train. They also plotted to carry out terrorist attacks in Singapore, as we found out in 2001. So we should not naively assume that Singaporeans who conduct terrorist attacks overseas, are not a threat to Singapore. How can we say that it is somehow "OK" if a Singaporean kills or plans to kill others in terrorist acts abroad, so long as those who die are not Singaporeans? How can we believe that a person who kills others because he sees them as enemies of his religion, will not be a security threat in Singapore? Surely a change of geography does not change his violent and extremist beliefs or his propensity to resort to terrorist violence to pursue these beliefs.
7. Any Singaporean who makes plans and takes part in violence whether in Singapore or abroad, or gives support of any form for any terror-related activities whether local or abroad, is a security threat and will be dealt with firmly.
8. We have worked hard at achieving the religious harmony and inter-communal trust we have today. The stakes for us are very high. We must not tolerate extremism which justifies terrorist violence. We will not tolerate terrorism in any form or under any guise. The Government will do its utmost to keep Singaporeans safe but all Singaporeans must practice zero tolerance for terrorism. Given the high stakes of race and religious harmony, inaction has serious consequences. This is why the Government will continue to take firm action against any individual who takes part in terrorist activities, be it in Singapore or overseas. They threaten the peace and harmony of our society.
Reporting on the case of DIY radical Abdul Basheer - Mediacorp Radio 93.8 LIVE (9 & 10 Jun 2007)
Where terrorism is concerned, geography and intention are no deterrents to the Singapore government clamping down on radicals.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said firm action will continue to be taken against anyone who participate in terrorist activities even if such activities are not in or target Singapore.
He was speaking to reporters at a community event in Bishan.
Geraldine Soh of 938 Live reports. Click here to listen.
Channel NewsAsia - Understanding crime in face of terrorism is important: Nathan Ng Baoying, Channel NewsAsia | 18 Jun 2007 1949 hrs
SINGAPORE: President S R Nathan said to fight terrorism, countries must shift their understanding of what constitutes a crime as this is essential in winning the battle against terrorists.
He said: "Terrorism is a kind of crime. For you to prove it is not easy. When we used to have secret societies, somebody would bash someone else up. There would be no witnesses. How do you bring these people out? How do you prove it to them? We, in Singapore and Malaysia, must understand the nature of terrorism and how it impacts society."
And society must not misunderstand Islam, in the light of the recent arrest of self-radicalised ex-lecturer, Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader.
President Nathan highlighted this as he toured the Harmony Centre with representatives from seven religious groups as part of an initiative by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
Mr Nathan said: "I hope that people of other faith will also come here to try and understand the real meaning of Islam, the spirit of brotherhood and this element of harmony that is really the essence of the message of the Prophet.
"This is only the beginning. The follow-up goes beyond this. The message should be reflected in practices elsewhere so that young people will have a basis on which to compare the messages they get on the internet with what is the real meaning of Islam."
The Harmony Centre will have a community engagement seminar on 17 November where community and youth leaders will meet to discuss new initiatives to enhance inter-faith understanding.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from Channel NewsAsia.
The Straits Times - President: ISA detainees protected by the law
By Keith Lin
PRESIDENT S R Nathan assured Singaporeans yesterday that detainees under the Internal Security Act (ISA) are protected by the law.
Asked by a reporter about the detention of polytechnic lecturer Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader - a 'self-radicalised' individual influenced by extremist propaganda on the Internet - Mr Nathan said that even in detention, 'there is a due process, there is a legislation'.
'The legislation provides what has to be done before you can detain a person and the recourse the person has against it. It's all there,' he said after touring the Harmony Centre. 'It's not something arbitrary.'
If the ISA Advisory Board recommends the release of a detainee, he cannot be further detained unless the President concurs. Under the Constitution, the President's concurrence is given in his discretion and not on the Cabinet's advice.
Since the Government announced the detention of 28-year-old Abdul Basheer two weeks ago, concerns have been raised on the Internet about how he had been detained even though he had not yet committed any physical crime.
At the time of his arrest in February, he had made plans to pursue 'militant jihad' in Afghanistan by fighting beside the Taleban.
Mr Nathan pointed out that crime, as understood traditionally, is different today.
He said: 'Terrorism is a kind of crime. To prove it is not easy.' He compared the threat of terror to the problems posed by secret societies in the past, where 'somebody will bash up somebody and you have no witnesses'.
'So when you're talking about due process, how do you bring these people out? How do you prove it? It's not something that is so simple.'
What is important, he said, is for countries in the region, such as Singapore and Malaysia, to understand the nature of terrorism and its impact on society.
Mr Nathan said the efforts of the Harmony Centre - set up in Bishan in October last year to promote a better understanding of Islam and promote inter-faith dialogue - help dispel the ignorant notion some people have that 'Islam is made up of terrorists'.
Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH.
TODAY - Important to understand crime in face of terrorism
To fight terrorism, countries must shift their understanding of what constitutes a crime as this is essential in winning the battle against terrorists, said President S R Nathan yesterday.
He said: "Terrorism is a kind of crime. For you to prove it is not easy. When we used to have secret societies, somebody would bash someone else up. There would be no witnesses. How do you bring these people out? How do you prove it to them? We, in Singapore and Malaysia, must understand the nature of terrorism and how it impacts society."
And society must not misunderstand Islam, in the light of the recent arrest of self-radicalised ex-lecturer, Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader. President Nathan highlighted this as he toured the Harmony Centre with representatives from seven religious groups as part of an initiative by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
Mr Nathan said: "I hope that people of other faith will also come here to try and understand the real meaning of Islam, the spirit of brotherhood and this element of harmony that is really the essence of the message of the Prophet."
The Harmony Centre will have a community engagement seminar on Nov 17 where community and youth leaders will meet to discuss new initiatives to enhance inter-faith understanding.
